Staying Focused in the Age of Distraction: How Mindfulness, Prayer, and Meditation Can Help You Pay Attention to What Really Matters

Whether you realize it or not, there's a battle going on all around you every day — for your attention. Advertising jingles, persuasive images, text messaging, the Internet, and television are the weapons of choice, and your mind is the battlefield. And the stakes are high. These modern distractions can devour your time yet leave you hungry for greater meaning in your life. Who will win?

Even though you live in this often-unsettling age of distraction, you can dramatically improve the quality of your life by learning to pay attention to those things that matter to you the most. This book offers step-by-step techniques you can use to focus on your values, practice meaningful activity, and develop a deeper sense of your own spirituality. A variety of methods, including mindfulness practice and prayer, can help you tune out the hum of distraction and concentrate on leading the rich and meaningful life that you crave.

Learn insightful and engaging ways to:

• Pay attention to what really matters to you
• Learn how to avoid "empty" activities
• Develop a deep and meaningful sense of spirituality
• Enrich your life and the lives of the people you love
• Create and carry out your own personal plan for focused awareness

Christopher D. Hoffman, MSW, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, social worker, author, and lecturer. He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. He has written and lectured on mindfulness, resilience, and interpersonal effectiveness. He works with older adults in community and nursing home settings at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lebanon, PA.

Elizabeth Hanson Hoffman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, professional speaker, and consultant who has given seminars and workshops nationally. She has published over thirty professional articles and two books for the trade. She is also a member of the following organizations: American Psychological Association and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. She holds the American Psychological Association Certificate of Proficiency in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders.